Switch inside VRSun/Sky to act like moon instead of sun

[Morne]

Hi Chaosgroup and fellow users.

I want a switch inside the VRay Sun and Sky that says function: sun/moon. Then depending on which one you tick that is the sky you get. Since at the moment if you put the sun below the horizon everything goes kakka. Well then fine, don't put the sun node below the horizon, but instead just leave the node above the horizon and change it into a moon and you get the correct dark blue navy sky and lighting instead of the junk you get for putting the sun too far below horizon. Its sounds pretty simple to me and it can't be too hard to code. Just change the sun code to have different intensity and effect the sky accordingly for night time.

[Morne]

am I the only person who wants this?

[DrJan]

Nope, and it has been requested before. Or at least, it has been asked how to do that.
Problem is, that night is a lack of sunshine. The moon doesn't "shine" itself, it just reflects the sun's rays. So I wouldn't know how they'd have to implement it.
Saying: "Just change the sun code" is easier than actually doing it :P

[Neilg]

There's a lot to calculate when doing something like a physical moon.

You'd have the distance the sun is away from the moon affecting the brightness, it's position and how obscured it is by the earth.

Compared to the sun it's pretty complex - and besides, the maths for the sun was already done as far as i'm aware and vlado just converted it to values that vray could use. I dont think anyones got round to doing similar research on the moon yet, and that probably wont be done quickly.


It is just a moon though, so even the 2 furthest points and the biggest differences are going to be pretty minor compared to daylight. if you animate the sun setting and then blend into a scene lit by a moonlight HDRI in post it comes across just as well - i've had fantastic results with it.

[DrJan]

I was about to say that as well, why not use an HDRI image of a moon-"lit" sky?

[vlado]

Actually there was research on illumination from a night sky, including the moon; it was certainly a lot more complicated than the sun though. Still, it's something that people have requested, so who knows...

Best regards,
Vlado

[pskdude]

hmmm

oh sounds like vlado is being optimistic on this feature, hopefully one day!!!!! =)